Holder for container of pulverant material with means to puncture said container anddispense said material



p 1, 1953 A. HAMMERSTEIN A HOLDER FOR CONTAINER OF PULVERANT MATERIAL WITH MEANS TO PUNCTURE SAID CONTAINER AND DISPENSE SAID MATERIAL Filed Jan. 14, 1949 s ZN W12}? 14W. z

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Patented Sept. 1, 1953 HOLDER FOR CONTAINER OF PULVERANT MATERIAL WITH MEANS TO PUNCTURE SAID CONTAINER AND DISPENSE SAID MATERIAL Arthur Hammerstein, Roselle, 111.

Application January 14, 1949, Serial No. 71,012

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a dispenser. The dispenser is particularly useful for the dispensing of salt, pepper, and similar granular material.

The filling of salt and pepper shakers, particularly in large restaurants, dining halls, etc., is a tedious operation and is often accompanied with spillage, requiring cleaning operations, etc. Further, in such operations, the salt, etc., is often exposed to moist weather or moist or humid conditions, and this latter afiects the free flowing qualities of the material.

An object of the present invention is to provide a structure by which the salt or other material may be kept in its, origina1 container in which it is packed under dry conditions while at the same time enabling the original container to be incorporated bodily in the dispenser. A further object is to provide a structure in which a container of salt, etc., is incorporated with a dispensing shell having an outlet or dispensing tube which enters the container within the shell. the tube being provided with means for self sealing while being readily opened for the dispensing of the salt, etc. A still further object is to provide a dispenser shell and cartridge assembly in which the cartridges may be prefilled under dry and other favorable conditions so that the material is preserved in its original container or cartridge while at the same time permitting the cartridge to be readily incorporated as a part of the dispensing structure, the empty cartridge being readily removable A still further object is to provide a cartridge and dispensing shell assembly with improved means for removing the cartridge while providing automatic means for opening the cartridge to unite it with a dispensing tube when the shell is thrust upon the cartridge. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is shown in illustrative embodiments by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser shell embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a perspective view of a cartridge adapted to be received within the dispenser shell; Fig. 3, a vertical sectional view of the dispenser shell and cartridge prior to the complete incorporation of the cartridge within the shell; Fig. 4, a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the completion of the step of uniting the cartridge to the dispensing shell; Fig. 5, a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing a modified form of cartridge; Fig. 6, a perspective view of the cartridge shown in Fig. 5; and Fig. 7, a side view in elevation of a structure which may be employed for removing an empty cartridge from the dispensing shell.

In the illustration given in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, l0 designates a dispensing shell which may be formed of plastic, metal, composition materials or any suitable material. The shell I!) is provided with a base flange I l and with a top closure or cap [2. In the illustration given, these parts are united by press-fit but it will be understood that they may be connected in any suitable manner and may, if desired, be formed in a single unitary piece.

The cap portion l 2 is centrally apertured at l3 and may, if desired, be provided with a vertical opening I 4 through which a pin may be inserted to facilitate the removal of the cartridge, etc., within the shell l0.

A dispensing tube or head l5 formed of metal or any other suitable material is provided with a reduced neck portion l6 which extends through the opening i3 of the cap l2 and is preferably locked thereagainst by a flange 11. The tube l5 below the flange I! is preferably formed with a plurality of laterally opening slots [8. In the illustration given, four slots are shown which open at opposite sides of the tube. The slots extend in a vertical plane so that salt may readily enter the tube from different angles. Further, the bottom end of the tube is preferably sharpened and tapered inwardly as indicated at E9 so as to provide a cutting edge. It wil1 be understood, however. that the cutting edge ma be omitted where the lower end of the tube is merely used to force a closure plug from the opening in a cartridge.

The upper end of the dispensing tube or head I5 is recessed to receive a resilient thimble 20 of rubber or other resilient material. The thimble 20 is provided with an annular flange 2| received within the lower portion of the recess, as shown. more clearly in Figs. 4 and 5. The thimble 20 is provided at its top with a dispensing slit 22, as shown best in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5.

Any suitable means for compressin the top portion of the thimble 26 to open the slit for dispensing salt. etc., mav be emplo ed. In the specific structure shown, I provide levers 23 which extend within slots in the head l5 and are pivotally supported therein by the pivot pins 2 Inward pressure upon the levers 23 compress the top wall of the thimble 29 and open the slit 22. I prefer to have the bottom portions of the levers 23 relatively flat so that they remain in the position shown without any tendency to fly outwardly but at the same til e being readily rzraovable for compressing the topwall of thimble Any suitable type of cartridge may be used.

In Figs. 2, 3 and 4., I show the cartridge 25 which may be formed of plastic or any other suitable material and which is provided with an upwardly inclined end portion having a central opening adapted to be closed by a closure plug 2%. The closurefplu'g 26 may be formed of plastic, cardboard or any other suitable material which is adapted to be held firmly in position by friction.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the cartridge 21 is provided with end closures 28 formed of rupturable material-such as'cardboard. etc., so that when the cartridge is thrust within the shell, the closure 28 is cut or ruptured by the sharpened end [9 of the dispensing tube l5. The cartridge 27 may also, if desired, be provided with an upwardly inclined end portion or it may be fiat, as illustrated.

In Fig. '7, there is shown a block member 29 \vhioh'may be a table, shelf or other structure, equipped with a barb membertil for facilitating the removal of "the empty containers 2'! fro the dispensing shell l9.

Operation In the operation of the structure shown in Figs.

1 to 4," inclusive, the shell Ill is grasped and placed quickly upon the-'cartridgeZE, the successive steps being shown in Figs. 3 and 4. As the shell is pressed downwardly upon the cartridge 25, the

end portion 19 of the dispensing tube i5 engages the frictionally held'closure plug 26 and forces it out of'position, as shown in Fig.4. At the same time, the lower portion IQ of the outlet tube i5 enters the aperture in the upper end of the cartridge 25. The cartridge 25 is held securely within the shell [0 by reason of the long frictional contact therewith and the integrated shell and cartridge, as shown in Fig. 4, form one composite'structure which may be handled as one 4 vessel. When it is desired to dispense salt, etc., the levers '23 are pressed inwardly to open the slit 22 and the structure is turned downwardly to permit salt, etc., to flow freely therefrom.

In the operation of the modified structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the shell it is forced downwardly upon the cartridge 21 in the same manner described above but in this structure,

the lower sharpened end 19 of the dispensing tube l5 cuts through the closure 28 and the lower reduced end l9 forms a tight frictional seal with the adjacent severed portions of the closure. Here also the'frictional contact of the cartridge 2'! unites the cartridge and shell to y make them equivalent to a single unitary structure. The salt, still held within its original container 2?, is opened for the first time by the dispensing tube which in turn is provided with an automatic closure thimble 253. Thus there is no exposure of the salt, etc., to outside air from the time that the original container 21 is filled and its connection with the dispensing shell i0 is completed.

I find that the empty cartridge 21 can be r .l=- 7 '4 speed. Similarly, in removing the cartridge 21 by bringing the empty cartridge against the barb 30, the removal thereby is accomplished in a moment of time. In the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the cartridge 25 may be removed by inserting a pin through the opening such details of structure may be varied widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my'invention.

I claim:

1. In a dispenser for granulated material, a

shell providing a compartment for receiving granulated material, a dispensing tube extending through theend of said shell and into'the compartmenta resilient thimble providing a closure for said tube and-having a normally closed dispensing slit therein, lever members adjacent the slit and in axial alignment therewith on opposite sides of said thimble, said levers being adapted to flex said thimble andopen the slit toprovide a dispensingopeningfor said dispensing tube.

2. In a dispenser for granulated material, a shell closed at oneend'andopen at the other, a dispensingtubeextending throughsaid closed end and into theshell, a cartridge for granulated materialreceived-insaid shell'through the open-end thereof and havinganopening in its inner end receiving saiddispensing tube, a resilient thimble providingaclosure for said tube and having a normally closed dispensing slit therein, a pair of lever members adjacent the slit and in axial alignment therewith on opposite sides of saidthimble -and'being rockably mounted to 'compressively engage thimble and flex 'the'samawhere'by rocking said lever members flexes said'thimbl'e to open saidslit and provide amet'ering opening 'for'the fiow of granulated 'mat'erial therethrough.

3. In adisp'enserfor granulated material, a shell closed at 'oneend' and open atthe'other, a head mounted upon'the 'closed end of said shell and being equipped with a dispensing'tube extendingtherethrough and alsoeriten'ding through the closed 'end of said shell and into the" interior thereof, a cartridge for "granulated material received in said shell'through' the open end thereof andhavingan' opening in its "inner end receiving said dispensingtube, aresilient thimble mounted upon said h'ead'and providing a closure for said tube andhaving 'a normally closed dispensing slit therein, a'pair oflever members pivotally mounted upon'said head adjacent the slit in' said thimble "and in 5 axial alignment therewith on opposite sides of said thi'mble, whereby compressing said lever'members'flexes said thimble to open the slittherein'antlprovidea metering opening for theflow of granulated material therethrough. v

4. The structure of claim' 3'in which said oartridge is held'within 's'aid shellby'frictional engagement therewith.

5. In a dispenser, a shell closed at its upper end and open at its lowerend, a dispensing'tube extending throu'gh'saidclosed' end and intothe shell, means associated with said dispensing tube for controlling the fi'owof material therefrom and adapted to minimize the exposure of said material to the atmosphere, a cartridge received in said shell through the open end thereof and having in the end nearest the closed end of the shell an opening receiving said dispensing tube, said opening in the cartridge being adapted to receive a friction plug for originally closing said cartridge whereby said friction plug may be removed from said opening by being pressed against the lower end or" said dispensing tube upon inserting said cartridge within said shell, the interior dimensions of said shell being so related to the exterior dimensions of said cartridge as to frictionally lock said cartridge within said shell against disengagement by shaking when dispensing said material, said cartridge having its lower end exposed at the lower end of said shell, said exposed end being easily rupturable by pressing said end against an anchored barb to pierce it in removing said cartridge from said shell.

6. In a dispenser, a shell closed at its upper end and open at its lower end, a dispensing tube extending through said closed end and into said shell and having a sharpened and slotted lower end, means associated with said dispensing tube for controlling the flow of material therefrom and adapted to minimize the exposure of said material to the atmosphere, a cartridge received in said shell through the open end thereof and having in the end nearest the closed end of the 6 shell an opening receiving said dispensing tube, said cartridge having a frangible upper end adjacent the closed end of the shell adapted to be pierced by the sharpened end of said tube when said shell is drawn upon said cartridge, the interior dimensions of said shell being so related to the exterior dimensions of said cartridge as to frictionally lock said cartridge within said shell against disengagement by shaking when dispensing said material, said cartridge having its lower end exposed at the lower end of said shell, said exposed end being easily rupturable by pressing said end against an anchored barb to pierce it in removing said cartridge from said shell.

ARTHUR I-IAMMERSTEIN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,269,438 Hieatzman June 11, 1918 1,343,099 Strongson June 8 1920 1,531,245 Ozanne Mar. 24, 1925 1,819,415 Harris Aug. 18, 1931 1,926,367 Booth Sept. 12, 1933 2,028,175 Waite Jan. 21, 1936 2,079,744 Maguire May 11, 1937 2,112,470 Sevelle Mar. 29, 1938 2,219,604 Trotter Oct. 29, 1940 2,393,322 Houghton Jan. 22, 1946 

